I know this comes up a lot, and yes I have done some searching but I would really like some first hand input. I am looking to purchase my first higher end scope and have been narrowing down the choices. One big deciding factor is that you can't hunt in Idaho with an illuminated reticle, which has eliminated some of my Vortex options. Basically looking to spend $800-1200. I would like to have a max power of at least 20x for shooting chucks at long ranges. Was looking at the Vortex PST's because I have a Viper 6.5-20 that I really like and I love their warranty, but again illumination is an issue. Have also been eyeing the SWFA SS 5-20x, but it is just above my max price range. I have a Bushnell scope that was not repairable so they are giving me some fairly big discounts on newer optics (compared to prices online like SWFA) and I am looking at the Elite Tactical line. My choices would be either the 3.5-21x or 6-24x with either the mil-dot reticle or the G2DMR rerticle. I have always used mil-dot reticles, but find myself wishing for more reference points along the horizontal plane for finer wind holds. I am not "easy" on my guns/scopes so I want solid build quality and good warranty. This is a huge purchase for me and I want to make sure I make the most informed decision possible. Thanks for any help you can provide.

ETA I just found out from a Fish and Game buddy that illuminated reticles are now allowed. All the same, I would still love to hear input from you all.

My .02

Reticles IMO are a personal choice so I'll leave that out. If you can't have illumination then the HDMR or the SS 5-20 is your best bet. I have the non-illuminated SS and I have hunted with it. I do think however that the HDMR may be a better fit for you because of the lower power on the low end of the magnification.

If you are going to hunt with a non=illuminated FFP scope I would advise you to choose one that has thicker "outer bars" on the reticle. This way you can bracket the target in extremely low light if you can't see the center of the crosshairs. Not ideal, but it works.

I had the Bushnell elite tactical 6-24x50 blagh blagh blagh. Loved it. it tracked well, returned to zero and seemed sturdy enough. the only down side was that the vertical adjustment was something like 40 moa top to bottom. With a 20 moa base I was 1 moa from being out of elevation a 1K (308 at 2700 FPS) this may or may not be your use. the other annoying thing was that the turrets went to 12 so it got confusing at times after one revolution. The glass and mechanics where great though and I'd buy again.

Why not a Vortex Viper HS? http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/viper-hs-lr-6-24x50-ffp-with%20xlr-moa-reticle

Was looking at that Viper HS pretty hard until I realized that it wasn't available until "Fall of 2012." That is fairly ambiguous in the first place. Secondly, I am planning a long anticipated antelope hunt in early September and would like to get the scope this summer to be able to use it and get used to it.

I can only comment about the 2 nicest scopes I own. The SS 5-20 HD and the Vortex Viper PST.

Glass......Both have glass that's plenty good enough. Both are worth every penny.

Reticle....I haven't been doing this nearly long enough to develope dislikes for certain reticles, so I think both are just peachy.

Toughness......The SS has a very rugged feel to it. It makes me want to hammer a nail with it to see if it would break. I'm betting not. With the PST, the mear thought of hammering a tack into cork board makes me cringe. But in reality, it's probably pretty rugged. I've never thrown either down a driveway.

Illumination.......The Illuminated reticle on both of them suck in my opinion. The SS just has a dot in the middle of the crosshairs and bleeds pretty badly if you turn up the power at all. Still, It's a hell of a lot better than nothing. The PST's illumination just flat doesn't work. It looked really pretty on the few ocassions that I actually did get it to work. I should probably send it in, but I haven't had the scope long enough to have stopped admiring it.

Lets see, what else? Ah yes......the all important click factor. I can assure you that both click when you turn the turret The SS has big fat clicks and the PST has slightly less pronounced clicks, but both definitely click when you turn the knobs.

Misc.....The SS's power adjustment if for big, strong men with kung fu grips. The addition of the cat tail makes the stiffness seem like a feature, so if you go with the SS, just go ahead and order the cat tail. After using it, you'll want one for every scope.

Repeatability.....Both seem to repeat just fine which is the most important thing in a scope.

IMOP, you can't go wrong with either of these scopes.


ETA....If you are at considering the SS, you might want to keep an eye on this group buy they've started. SS Group Buy

Can you not just take the battery out when hunting?